About
Children's Summer Workshop at the Royal Gunpowder Mills, Waltham Abbey, Essex
Explosive History!
Tuesday 22nd August Morning session or Afternoon session
Suitable for ages 6-12
Tickets are £8 per child. Accompanying adults go free.
Morning session 10.30am - 12.00pm - Book here
Afternoon session 1.00pm - 2.30pm - Book here
Beaulieu Drive, Waltham Abbey, Essex, EN9 1JY
Join in an exciting and interactive summer workshop where children can dive into the fascinating history of the Royal Gunpowder Mills through a variety of arts and crafts. Kids aged 6-12 will have the opportunity to engage their creativity and learn some fun facts about how explosive technologies shaped history.
Please note: This is not a drop-off activity. Children must be accompanied by a parent during the workshop.
Tickets for this workshop are not admission to the whole site. The visitor attractions are not open on this day.
Did you know gunpowder started being made in Waltham Abbey over 360 years ago?
You'll be exploring this history by creating your own explosive naval battle scenes in paint and glitter. The children will use their imagination to draw a portrait of the pioneering head of the mills, Philippa Walton.
Then the children will make their own replica WW1 explosives in playdough. And finally, we'll explore how these explosives were moved around the site with a visit to the Gunpowder Railway.
Don't miss out on this wonderful opportunity for your child to explore their creativity and expand their historical knowledge.
You might also be interested in the final children's workshop:
All Aboard for the Last Hurrah!
Tuesday 29th August
Get a last chance to ride on the railways in the last family day of the summer. Explore the miniature railway, the Gunpowder railway, and marvel at the powder boats. Don’t miss out on the crafting session to make your own powder boat.
Book Tickets Online
Facilities
Establishment Features
- Guided tours
Parking & Transport
- On site parking
- Parking (free)
Provider Preferences
- Outdoor Attraction - The Royal Gunpowder Mills is a very large unspoilt site with areas designated of special scientific interest (SSIs). The dangerous nature of gunpowder manufacture, and the later chemical explosives, made it sensible to space buildings apart. So the industrial processes can be explored within a natural environment. Trees were allowed to flourish between the buildings as they provided an additional safety barrier should an explosion occur in a building, and canals link all parts of the site.
Map & Directions
Road Directions
The Royal Gunpowder Mills is located in Beaulieu Drive, off Highbridge Street (at traffic lights and opposite McDonalds), a ten minute walk from the centre of Waltham Abbey. The entrance is at top north end of Beaulieu Drive.
There is free parking
From J26 of M25, take A121 to Waltham Abbey; or from J25 of M25 go to Waltham Cross and then A121.
Public Transport Directions
By Bus
The site is just a 10 minute walk from Waltham Abbey Town Centre.
Nearest bus stops in Highbridge Street are served by the following local buses:
21, 212, 213, 240, 250, 251, 255, 505, 517.
By Rail
Nearest station is Waltham Cross, connecting London Liverpool Street or Tottenham Hale underground (Victoria Line) to/from Cheshunt/Broxbourne/Hertford East.
We are a 25 minute walk east from the station.
You may also take a bus or a cab (office at station).
